Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes, 61188-61190 [E8-24380]
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61188
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 15, 2008 / Notices
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy: We will post all comments
we receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide.
Using the search function of our docket
Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments received into any of our
dockets, including the name of the
individual sending the comment (or
signing the comment for an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78).
Docket: To read background
documents or comments received, go to
https://www.regulations.gov at any time
or to the Docket Management Facility in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frances Shaver, (202) 267–9681, or
Katrina Holiday, (202) 267–3603, Office
of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.
This notice is published pursuant to
14 CFR 11.85.
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 9,
2008.
Pamela Hamilton-Powell,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
Petition for Exemption
Docket No.: FAA–2008–0927.
Petitioner: Honeywell, Defense &
Space Electronics System.
Section of 14 CFR Affected:
§ 21.195(d)(2).
Description of Relief Sought:
Honeywell requests an exemption to
gain an experimental airworthiness
certificate to conduct customer crew
training with less than 50 flight hours.
[FR Doc. E8–24442 Filed 10–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Buy America Waiver Notification
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice provides
information regarding the FHWA’s
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:32 Oct 14, 2008
Jkt 217001
finding that a Buy America waiver is
appropriate for certain steel products
used in Federal-aid bridge construction
projects in North Carolina.
DATES: The effective date of the waiver
is October 16, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions about this notice, please
contact Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA
Office of Program Administration, (202)
366–1562, gerald.yakowenko@dot.gov.
For legal questions, please contact Mr.
Michael Harkins, FHWA Office of the
Chief Counsel, (202) 366–4928,
michael.harkins@dot.gov. Office hours
for the FHWA are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15
p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document
may be downloaded from the Federal
Register’s home page at: https://
www.archives.gov and the Government
Printing Office’s database at: https://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
FHWA concludes that there are no
domestic manufacturers for these
products, and a Buy America waiver is
appropriate as provided by 23 CFR
635.410(c)(1).
In accordance with the provisions of
section 117 of the ‘‘SAFETEA–LU
Technical Corrections Act of 2008’’
(Pub. L. 110–244, 122 Stat.1572), the
FHWA is providing this notice as its
finding that a waiver of Buy America
requirements is appropriate. The FHWA
invites public comment on this finding
for an additional 15 days following the
effective date of the finding. Comments
may be submitted to the FHWA’s Web
site via the links above to the North
Carolina waiver pages noted above.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161,
23 CFR 635.410.
Issued on: October 6, 2008.
Thomas J. Madison, Jr.,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8–24529 Filed 10–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
Background
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The FHWA’s Buy America policy in
23 CFR 635.410 requires a domestic
manufacturing process for any steel or
iron products (including protective
coatings) that are permanently
incorporated in a Federal-aid
construction project. The regulation also
provides for a waiver of the Buy
America requirements when application
of the requirements would be
inconsistent with the public interest or
when satisfactory quality domestic steel
and iron products are not sufficiently
available. This notice provides
information regarding the FHWA’s
finding that a Buy America waiver is
appropriate for specialty machinery and
motor brakes used on certain bridge
projects in North Carolina.
In accordance with section 130 of
Division K of the ‘‘Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2008’’ (Pub. L. 110–
161), on August 21, 2008, the FHWA
published on its Web site a notice of
intent to issue a waiver for machinery
and motor brakes (https://
www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/
contracts/waivers.cfm?id=19). The
FHWA received one comment which
supported the waiver if it is not for
multiple applications. During the 15day comment period, the FHWA
conducted an additional nationwide
review to locate potential domestic
manufacturers of machinery and motor
brakes. Based on all the information
available to the Agency, including the
response received to the notice as well
as the Agency’s nationwide review, the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
PO 00000
Frm 00172
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2008–0175]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its
decision to exempt forty-seven
individuals from its rule prohibiting
persons with insulin-treated diabetes
mellitus (ITDM) from operating
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in
interstate commerce. The exemptions
will enable these individuals to operate
CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions are effective
October 15, 2008. The exemptions
expire on October 15, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical
Programs, (202) 366–4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room
W64–224, Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
You may see all the comments online
through the Federal Document
E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM
15OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 15, 2008 / Notices
Management System (FDMS) at: https://
www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
www.regulations.gov and/or Room
W12–140 on the ground level of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of DOT’s dockets by
the name of the individual submitting
the comment (or of the person signing
the comment, if submitted on behalf of
an association, business, labor union, or
other entity). You may review DOT’s
complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register (65 FR 19476, Apr. 11,
2000). This statement is also available at
https://Docketsinfo.dot.gov.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Background
On August 5, 2008, FMCSA published
a notice announcing receipt of
applications for exemption from the
Federal diabetes standard from fortyseven individuals, and requested
comments from the public (73 FR
45519). The public comment period
closed on September 4, 2008, and three
comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the forty-seven applicants and
determined that granting the
exemptions to these individuals would
achieve a level of safety equivalent to,
or greater than, the level that would be
achieved by complying with the current
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3).
Diabetes Mellitus and Driving
Experience of the Applicants
The Agency established the current
standard for diabetes in 1970 because
several risk studies indicated that
diabetic drivers had a higher rate of
crash involvement than the general
population. The diabetes rule provides
that ‘‘A person is physically qualified to
drive a commercial motor vehicle if that
person has no established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes
mellitus currently requiring insulin for
control’’ (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)).
FMCSA established its diabetes
exemption program, based on the
Agency’s July 2000 study entitled ‘‘A
Report to Congress on the Feasibility of
a Program to Qualify Individuals with
Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus to
Operate in Interstate Commerce as
Directed by the Transportation Act for
the 21st Century.’’ The report concluded
that a safe and practicable protocol to
allow some drivers with ITDM to
operate CMVs is feasible. The 2003
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:32 Oct 14, 2008
Jkt 217001
Notice (68 FR 52442) in conjunction
with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR
67777) Federal Register Notice provides
the current protocol for allowing such
drivers to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce.
These forty-seven applicants have had
ITDM over a range of 1 to 46 years.
These applicants report no
hypoglycemic reaction that resulted in
loss of consciousness or seizure, that
required the assistance of another
person, or that resulted in impaired
cognitive function without warning
symptoms in the past 5 years (with one
year of stability following any such
episode). In each case, an
endocrinologist has verified that the
driver has demonstrated willingness to
properly monitor and manage his or her
diabetes, received education related to
diabetes management, and is on a stable
insulin regimen. Each driver reports no
other disqualifying conditions,
including diabetes-related
complications. Each meets the vision
standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical
condition of each applicant were stated
and discussed in detail in the August 5,
2008, Federal Register Notice (73 FR
45519). Therefore, they will not be
repeated in this notice.
Basis for Exemption Determination
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,
FMCSA may grant an exemption from
the diabetes standard in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is likely to
achieve an equivalent or greater level of
safety than would be achieved without
the exemption. The exemption allows
the applicants to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
To evaluate the effect of these
exemptions on safety, FMCSA
considered medical reports about the
applicants’ ITDM and vision and
reviewed the treating endocrinologist’s
medical opinion related to the ability of
the driver to safely operate a CMV while
using insulin.
Consequently, FMCSA finds that
exempting these applicants from the
diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)
is likely to achieve a level of safety
equal to that existing without the
exemption.
Conditions and Requirements
The terms and conditions of the
exemption will be provided to the
applicants in the exemption document
and they include the following: (1) That
each individual submits to FMCSA a
quarterly monitoring checklist
completed by the treating
endocrinologist as well as an annual
checklist with a comprehensive medical
PO 00000
Frm 00173
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61189
evaluation; (2) that each individual
reports to FMCSA within 2 business
days of occurrence, all episodes of
severe hypoglycemia, significant
complications, or inability to manage
diabetes; also, any involvement in an
accident or any other adverse event in
a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or
not they are related to an episode of
hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual
provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s
or optometrist’s report to the medical
examiner at the time of the annual
medical examination; and (4) that each
individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for
retention in the driver’s qualification
file, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s
qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must also have a
copy of the certification when driving,
for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement
official.
Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received three comments in
this proceeding. Two of the comments
were recommendations in favor of
granting the Federal diabetes exemption
to Mr. Tyree L. Murdock II. and Mr.
Brian Wallisch. The third comment was
also a recommendation in favor of
granting Federal diabetes exemptions to
individuals with ITDM.
Conclusion
After considering the comments to the
docket, and based upon its evaluation of
the forty-seven exemption applications,
FMCSA exempts, Robert V. Balmes,
David R. Bauerdorf, Stephen R. Bortz,
John A. Broeker, Daniel A. Brown,
Floyd G. Burbach, Kenneth M. Brinker,
Richard A. Bruyere, Randie L. Burrows,
Scott R. Butler, Jay P. Cave, Jeffrey A.
Clark, Terry C. Conwell, Steven M.
French, Glennon E. Goetting, Philip P.
Gray, John L. Hansen, Darin D. Harries,
William E. Hollowell, Cindy L. HushinBrink, Steven L. Jensen, Mark A.
Kabriel, Kevin K. Kimbro, Richard D.
Knoche, Jonathan D. Koehn, Robert J.
Lanczkowski, Terry G. Lindahl, Paula S.
Lewis, Edward M. Mason, John M.
McAuliffe, John A. McMurray, Kurt V.
Miller, William W. Moffat, Tyree L.
Murdock, II., Edward A. Ortega, David
W. Payne, Richard Rodriguez, Scott D.
Schultz, Daniel S. Sherman, Marvin R.
Shipman, Mark W. Seem, Ricky Sirico,
Daryl L. Vaughn, Brian K. Wallisch,
Steven S. Whitt, Jr., Andrew A. Zizza,
Mick B. Zoske, from the ITDM standard
in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject to the
conditions listed under ‘‘Conditions and
Requirements’’ above.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315 each exemption will be valid
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15OCN1
61190
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 15, 2008 / Notices
for two years unless revoked earlier by
FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked
if: (1) The person fails to comply with
the terms and conditions of the
exemption; (2) the exemption has
resulted in a lower level of safety than
was maintained before it was granted; or
(3) continuation of the exemption would
not be consistent with the goals and
objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315. If the exemption is still effective
at the end of the 2-year period, the
person may apply to FMCSA for a
renewal under procedures in effect at
that time.
Issued on: September 25, 2008.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and
Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8–24380 Filed 10–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Notice of Closing of Funding
Availability and Request for Comments
for the Capital Assistance to States—
Intercity Passenger Rail Service
Program for Fiscal Year 2008
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Closing of Funding Availability
and Request for Comments.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On February 19, 2008, FRA
issued a Notice of Funding Availability
and Solicitation of Applications for the
Capital Assistance to States—Intercity
Passenger Rail Service Program for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. On September 30,
2008, DOT announced the selection of
awardees for the available FY 2008
funding. Therefore, FRA is now
announcing that it will no longer be
accepting applications for awards of the
FY 2008 funding. FRA is also
requesting, in preparation for a possible
FY 2009 Notice of Funding Availability
and Solicitation of Applications, that
past and prospective applicants (or
associations representing past and
prospective applicants) submit
comments regarding their experience
with the program and suggestions for
possible improvements.
DATES: Comments should be submitted
no later than December 5, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Past and prospective
applicants (or associations representing
past and prospective applicants) may
submit comments identified by the
docket number FRA–2008–0115 by any
of the following methods:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:32 Oct 14, 2008
Jkt 217001
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number (FRA–2008–0115) for this
program. Note that all comments
received will be posted, without change,
to https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information. Please see the
Privacy Act heading in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document for Privacy Act
information related to any submitted
comments or materials. Internet users
may access comments received by DOT
at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Schwartz, Office of Railroad
Development (RDV–11), Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590. Phone: (202) 493–6360; Fax:
(202) 493–6330.
FRA
anticipates that it will publish during
the second quarter of FY 2009 a Notice
of Funding Availability and Solicitation
of Applications for the Capital
Assistance to States—Intercity
Passenger Rail Service Program for
funding made available for FY 2009. In
preparation for such an announcement,
FRA is requesting that past and
prospective applicants submit
comments regarding their experience
with the program during FY 2008 and
their suggestions for possible
improvements. Those interested in
submitting comments should do so by
the methods specified in the ADDRESSES
heading above no later than December 5,
2008.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of FRA’s dockets by
the name of the individual submitting
the comment (or signing the comment,
if submitted on behalf of a State,
association, business, or labor union).
You may review DOT’s complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000
(65 FR 19477–78), or you may visit
https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00174
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 8,
2008.
Mark E. Yachmetz,
Associate Administrator for Railroad
Development.
[FR Doc. E8–24524 Filed 10–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2008–0009, Notice
No. 4]
Declaration of Emergency Event
Federal Railroad
Administration, Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of declaration of
emergency event.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On September 26, 2008, the
Administrator of the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) determined that
the impending landfall of tropical storm
Kyle on the coast of the United States
and the potential of that storm to reach
hurricane status constituted an
emergency event as related to railroad
operations. Accordingly, the
Administrator activated the Emergency
Relief Docket. This document provides
notice of the Administrator’s
determination.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
September 26, 2008, the Administrator
of FRA determined that the impending
landfall of tropical storm Kyle on the
coast of the United States and that
potential of that storm to reach
hurricane status constituted an
emergency event pursuant to Title 49
Code of Federal Refulations (CFR) Part
211.45(c) and that public safety required
the implementation of FRA’s emergency
waiver rule directly related to the
emergency. Accordingly, the
Administrator activated the Emergency
Relief Docket (Docket Number FRA–
2008–0009) and in accordance with 49
CFR Part 211.45(g), petitions received in
that docket pursuant to this emergency
event will be handled according to the
requirements of 49 CFR Part 211.45(g)–
(j).
Interested parties are reminded that
the procedures in 49 CFR Part 211.45
provide for expedited review and
processing of emergency waiver
petitions. Accordingly, in accordance
with 49 CFR Part 211.45(h), any person
wishing to comment on petitions for
emergency waivers should submit their
comments to the docket within 72 hours
from the close of business on the day
that the petition is posted in the public
docket. Any person desiring a public
E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM
15OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61188-61190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24380]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2008-0175]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt forty-seven individuals
from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes
mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in
interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to
operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions are effective October 15, 2008. The exemptions
expire on October 15, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64-224,
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document
[[Page 61189]]
Management System (FDMS) at: https://www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of DOT's dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, or other
entity). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register (65 FR 19476, Apr. 11, 2000). This statement is also
available at https://Docketsinfo.dot.gov.
Background
On August 5, 2008, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of
applications for exemption from the Federal diabetes standard from
forty-seven individuals, and requested comments from the public (73 FR
45519). The public comment period closed on September 4, 2008, and
three comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the forty-seven applicants
and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would
achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level
that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3).
Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants
The Agency established the current standard for diabetes in 1970
because several risk studies indicated that diabetic drivers had a
higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The
diabetes rule provides that ``A person is physically qualified to drive
a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring
insulin for control'' (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)).
FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the
Agency's July 2000 study entitled ``A Report to Congress on the
Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated
Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the
Transportation Act for the 21st Century.'' The report concluded that a
safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to
operate CMVs is feasible. The 2003 Notice (68 FR 52442) in conjunction
with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777) Federal Register Notice
provides the current protocol for allowing such drivers to operate CMVs
in interstate commerce.
These forty-seven applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 46
years. These applicants report no hypoglycemic reaction that resulted
in loss of consciousness or seizure, that required the assistance of
another person, or that resulted in impaired cognitive function without
warning symptoms in the past 5 years (with one year of stability
following any such episode). In each case, an endocrinologist has
verified that the driver has demonstrated willingness to properly
monitor and manage his or her diabetes, received education related to
diabetes management, and is on a stable insulin regimen. Each driver
reports no other disqualifying conditions, including diabetes-related
complications. Each meets the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were
stated and discussed in detail in the August 5, 2008, Federal Register
Notice (73 FR 45519). Therefore, they will not be repeated in this
notice.
Basis for Exemption Determination
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would
be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants
to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA
considered medical reports about the applicants' ITDM and vision and
reviewed the treating endocrinologist's medical opinion related to the
ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin.
Consequently, FMCSA finds that exempting these applicants from the
diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level
of safety equal to that existing without the exemption.
Conditions and Requirements
The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the
applicants in the exemption document and they include the following:
(1) That each individual submits to FMCSA a quarterly monitoring
checklist completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an
annual checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each
individual reports to FMCSA within 2 business days of occurrence, all
episodes of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or
inability to manage diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or
any other adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not
they are related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each
individual provide a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's
report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical
examination; and (4) that each individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver's
qualification file, or keep a copy in his/her driver's qualification
file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must also have a copy of
the certification when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement official.
Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received three comments in this proceeding. Two of the
comments were recommendations in favor of granting the Federal diabetes
exemption to Mr. Tyree L. Murdock II. and Mr. Brian Wallisch. The third
comment was also a recommendation in favor of granting Federal diabetes
exemptions to individuals with ITDM.
Conclusion
After considering the comments to the docket, and based upon its
evaluation of the forty-seven exemption applications, FMCSA exempts,
Robert V. Balmes, David R. Bauerdorf, Stephen R. Bortz, John A.
Broeker, Daniel A. Brown, Floyd G. Burbach, Kenneth M. Brinker, Richard
A. Bruyere, Randie L. Burrows, Scott R. Butler, Jay P. Cave, Jeffrey A.
Clark, Terry C. Conwell, Steven M. French, Glennon E. Goetting, Philip
P. Gray, John L. Hansen, Darin D. Harries, William E. Hollowell, Cindy
L. Hushin-Brink, Steven L. Jensen, Mark A. Kabriel, Kevin K. Kimbro,
Richard D. Knoche, Jonathan D. Koehn, Robert J. Lanczkowski, Terry G.
Lindahl, Paula S. Lewis, Edward M. Mason, John M. McAuliffe, John A.
McMurray, Kurt V. Miller, William W. Moffat, Tyree L. Murdock, II.,
Edward A. Ortega, David W. Payne, Richard Rodriguez, Scott D. Schultz,
Daniel S. Sherman, Marvin R. Shipman, Mark W. Seem, Ricky Sirico, Daryl
L. Vaughn, Brian K. Wallisch, Steven S. Whitt, Jr., Andrew A. Zizza,
Mick B. Zoske, from the ITDM standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject
to the conditions listed under ``Conditions and Requirements'' above.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption will
be valid
[[Page 61190]]
for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be
revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower
level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3)
continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals
and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. If the exemption is
still effective at the end of the 2-year period, the person may apply
to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time.
Issued on: September 25, 2008.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8-24380 Filed 10-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P